24 Oct 2024
Palmerston North Airport is set to undergo a transformative redevelopment, with a new $40M terminal designed to future-proof the airport for growth and operational resilience.
Studio Pacific is proud to be part of the design team behind the transformative redevelopment of Palmerston North Airport’s terminal. Set for completion in 2026, the project promises to elevate the airport’s resilience, functionality, and passenger experience, ensuring it meets the demands of future growth and industry evolution.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Seismic Resilience
The new 5,000sqm terminal will introduce key upgrades that prioritise operational efficiency and seismic design, aligning with the region’s focus on future-proofing essential infrastructure. Featuring a mass timber structure, the design includes three distinct functional areas that cater to both passengers and operational needs.
A Closer Look at the New Terminal Design
Western End: The western end of the new terminal will serve as a hub for baggage handling, airline offices, and cargo acceptance. This area has been designed with the flexibility to accommodate future government-mandated screening requirements, ensuring the terminal remains adaptable to evolving security standards.
Main Hub: This double-height space will form the heart of the terminal, providing check-in facilities, departure lounges, passenger dwell areas, retail spaces, café options, and essential amenities such as restrooms.
Eastern End: Dedicated to arriving passengers, this area will include baggage claim and car rental services. A full-length airside corridor will run parallel to the terminal for its full length, offering passengers protection from the elements when boarding or disembarking. It will also house rental car services, a meeting room, and operational offices for Palmerston North Airport.
Phased Construction Timeline
Over the next two years, the building will be transformed into a new transport hub for the Manawatū region. Construction of the new terminal will be executed in two phases, minimising disruption to ongoing airport operations. The first phase is set to begin in late-2024, with the second phase following in 2025. Full project completion is expected by late-2026.
Collaborative Approach
Studio Pacific is working closely with the project’s co-design partners, Rangitāne o Manawatū, to bring local iwi narratives and pūrakau into the design, reflecting the mana whenua of the Manawatū.
A collaborative consultant team, including Colliers Project Leaders, LT McGuinness, Beca, 335_NZ, and Ortus International, is working to deliver a new facility that underscores Palmerston North’s status as a vital gateway to the Manawatū region. The new terminal will not only enhance the travel experience but also support the region’s economic development, creating a welcoming environment for both locals and visitors that honours the region’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
This redevelopment marks a significant milestone for Palmerston North Airport, ensuring it continues to serve the community efficiently and effectively for decades to come.
Learn more about Palmerston North's new airport terminal on Stuff.
Palmerston North Airport is set to undergo a transformative redevelopment, with a new $40M terminal designed to future-proof the airport for growth and operational resilience.